Page 109 of Seasons of War
“Because I'd do the same thing in your position, and you should get the choice.” His hands curled into fists. “I've recently been made aware that I'm a piece of shit for forcing my protection upon women and civilians.”
The amusement caught hold of her as she fell into the abyss, saving her from being lost for good this time. “You're growing?” She chuckled. “Good for you. How very enlightened.”
“If you want to stay, I won't stop you, but you shouldn't, and I'm not okay with it.”
“Incredible. So, who handed your ass to you over this? Your fiancée or the woman you love?”
Zayne's expression soured into the least amused face she'd ever seen any man make. “If you insist on staying, then I know someone who can help you.”
“Be sure to let whoever inspired you to become a new man know what progress you've made respecting the choices of your damsels in distress.”
A low groan. “Looks like you aren't losing your shit anymore.”
“No, this helped. Thank you.” Miya sat on the bed now, savoring the full breath she drew into her sore lungs. Yeah, that helped. “Am I obligated to beg you to escape the Phaedra before he tears you limb from limb, or do I not have to since you have all these scars and fear no suffering?”
His eyes could not narrow more without closing. “Seducing me doesn't work, so now you'll test my temper?”
“I was simply mocking you, but that is a useful strategy.”
Miya lied.
She was toying with temper on instinct, clawing her way back from the doom that almost sent her running out of the room despite the soldiers. Zayne didn't like Miya discussing his feelings, and that tipped the conversation enough for her to seize back her control. What else could she learn about him?
He leaned against the dresser, crossing his arms over his chest, the flex of the Phaedra's seals all she saw. If he told the truth, then Miya needed him on her side.
“Do you want my friend's help or not?” he asked.
“Yes. I do.” While Miya refused to drop her guard, she should explore her options in case he did betray the Phaedra. “I need to get Lance out of here.”
“If you're staying, Lance stays. Christopher will kill you if I extricate him. You'll be suspected. Another reason you should take my original offer.”
Miya wanted to snap at him, but he was right. If the other half of the captain's bridge to Bale disappeared, he'd turn his fury on her. “I'm in a position to destroy the captain and help the United protect Caspador.”
“If he doesn't destroy you first.”
“As long as the captain needs Lance, then he's safe. Help me get him out after I make it to Bale.”
Zayne nodded. “Fine. Keep him alive until then.”
Miya leveled a look at him. “I do not take orders from you, High General's son. Obviously, I'm going to keep Lance alive. Keep talking like that to me and see how it works for you.”
A smile. A real smile. It almost let her see beyond the marks of war and power to the person underneath. “I'll try my best.”
It wasn't fair to judge him by his marks when she hated anyone doing the same to her, but he scared her too much to overlook all she saw.
“So much growth.” Miya sidled against the dresser beside him, leaning back to see where the two snakes climbed his neck and bared their fangs at his skull. Eagerto consume his mind. “If we're being equitable, it's not fair that I'm in a robe, and you're fully dressed.” She yanked down on the back of his shirt. “Take it off.”
Obviously, he wouldn't, but she needed a glimpse. Miya almost pulled his shirt enough to uncover the skin between his shoulder blades and check for the most ruthless badge of honor in the empire. But he caught her hand, tossing it back to her side.
“Stop hunting for information that I'm not offering,” he said.
She lifted her ring finger with the black band. “I showed you mine. Now show me yours.”
“I don't have any other tattoos. This is it.”
While his story was compelling, she wouldn't believe anything if said he wore the golden crest over his shoulder blades. Only the cruelest soldiers who killed over a hundred traitors to the Phaedra received that mark.
With a sigh, he turned his back toward her. “Go ahead. Next time, ask without playing games.”
